CCP

Through the College Career Pathway (CCP) Program at BEHS students can take college equivalent courses right here at BEHS during the regular school day. Like AP courses, CCP courses at BEHS allow you to earn college credits while you are in high school. It's a great way to get a jump start on college education. And the college credits earned through CCP courses are good at any CT State College or University, including UCONN, CCSU, SCSU, ECSU and WSCU. Many other colleges are likely to accept them as transfer credits as well.

Like AP courses, CCP courses at BEHS are “equivalent” to courses offered at the college level. Taking these courses in high school help you meet a variety of college level requirements, such as pre-requisites for various majors, and general education or distribution requirements.

Since you may have to take a number of these courses in college anyway to meet requirements of your college program or major – the CCP program offers you a chance to get ahead in your studies. Going to college with credits "in hand" and pre-requisite course requirements met opens up possibilities of taking elective courses that really interest you. Or you can explore some of the many new subject areas you will encounter in college. Either way, getting through required and/or distribution courses before you get to college is a smart idea.

Tunxis Community College (TXCC) is Bristol Eastern's partner in the CCP Program. Upon successful completion CCP classes you'll receive a transcript from TXCC showing that you've taken and passed the Tunxis course that is equivalent to the CCP course you took. It will also show the college credits you've earned; credits which are transferrable to most colleges.

Ask your guidance counselor about how to sign up for the CCP program, and how it can benefit you.

The College Career Pathway (CCP) Program at BEHS shares a number of things with the AP course offerings at BEHS. But there are some important differences also. Comparing these two ways of earning college credits will help you decide how to plan for an ambitious secondary level education that yields value at the college level.

SIMILARITIES:

First - both CCP and AP course are college level courses that challenge students academically. This is because both CCP and AP courses are based on college level curriculum that is more demanding than what students normally find in academic courses or college prep courses at the high school level. (Note: schools use different terminology for course levels, but both CCP and AP courses would rank higher in difficulty than any other high school course)

Selective colleges examine the secondary level transcripts of applicants looking to see that the student is challenging him(her) self in high school. Colleges of all kinds will recognize both CCP and AP as elite courses that demonstrate rigor in the student's choice of high school study.

Second - As with AP courses, the curriculum of a CCP course is essentially the same as for an equivalent college course. Students could take "the same thing" at the college level, at nearby Tunxis Community College (TXCC) or at any other institution of higher education offering a similar course (and there are many who do). But CCP and AP both allow student to get a head start on their college education while they're still in high school.

Third - Both CCP and AP courses result in the issuing of college credits that students are usually able to carry forward with them to their college or university. And in both cases - whether or not credit will be granted depends on the institution for which you are applying. In Connecticut, all State schools accept both CCP and AP courses. And while many out of state schools do also (including both public and private institutions) - not all of them accept either CCP or AP credits.

Fourth - Both CCP and AP courses are "accelerated" courses, and are GPA weighted higher than other high school courses. Both CCP and AP courses are considered to be in "Category 1" for grade weighing purposes. (See the BEHS program of studies for a further description)

Fifth - There is no guarantee that students taking either an AP course or a CCP course will earn college credits. In both cases, students must prove their learning. In an AP course this means earning a certain score on the AP exam (on a 5 point scale). Generally a score of 4 or better will be honored by colleges, and some colleges will accept a 3. In a CCP course students prove their learning through assessments given in the course and earn a minimum final course grade of 75 (C) or better. This a higher standard than most colleges require for the in-transferring of credits from other colleges, which is normally either a passing course grade of C- (numeric 70) or D (numeric 60).

Sixth - Although most colleges honor AP credits and in-transfer of credits from other colleges (which is how CCP credit works) it is up to the individual colleges to determine whether or not to accept any kind of external credits. This applies to both AP and CCP transfer credits.

All of the State of Connecticut Universities (UCONN, CCSU, SCSU, ECSU and WCSU) accept both CCP transfer and AP scores of 4 or better. (Some may accept AP scores of 3) And out of state public colleges and universities are likely to have similar polices for honoring credit as the State of CT schools have. However policies for accepting AP and transfer in credits vary at private colleges and universities. Although both AP (high scores) and CCP transfer credits will be honored at most schools, neither AP nor CCP transfer credits are honored everywhere.

Generally speaking the most selective colleges and universities are less likely to accept any kind of credits from outside their own institution. For example, Harvard Univ. does not accept any AP credits at all (not even a 5) and they are extremely restrictive on accepting transfer in credits from other colleges. They do not accept college credits earned at night, or part time, or without full time-daytime enrollment of at least one year at the school in question.

However most colleges policies' about granting credits are more in line with those of the CT State schools which do accept both CCP and AP credits.

DIFFERENCES:

First - Unlike AP courses, in which the college is asked to honor the AP exam score, CCP college credits come in the form of a college transcript showing that the student has completed the college course equivalent at the partner college - which is TXCC for student at BEHS. For a CCP course, it is the transcript from TXCC that is being transferred. AP courses do not result in a college transcript. And the transcript will show that the student has passed the college course, not the CCP high school course.

Second - AP courses are based on the student's score on the AP exam the end. A student can pass the course, but not do well on the AP exam and lose out on the college credit. Although many schools accept an AP grade of 3, quite a few require a 4, and some even at least a 5. Therefore AP credit is not a sure thing for taking the course. On the other hand a student can actually flunk the AP course but still earn college credit with a "good showing" on the AP exam at the end. Although this seems unlikely, it is possible - especially if the student is a "good test taker".

In a CCP course students must demonstrate their learning consistently throughout the course. To earn college credit they must not only pass the course they must also reach the higher bar of the minimum CCP grade in the course. To earn CCP college credit students earn a course grade of 75 (C) or better regardless of how well they do on the final exam. A single "good showing" at the end will not "bail them out" if they have not demonstrated consistent achievement throughout the course.

Third - CCP courses offer college credit in subject areas that AP courses do not. In fact there is no overlap at all between the CCP and AP course offerings at BEHS. If you want to earn college credits in the subject areas where CCP college credits are available (such as for Accounting, Child Development or Information Processing - to name a few) your only option will be to pursue the CCP course and Pathway in that area. And if any of these courses could be pre-requisites for the field of study you (or your student) is considering in college (most CCP courses in fact are common college major pre-requisites) you cannot take care of those requirements in the AP program. Only CCP transfer credits will be of help.

Fourth - The subjects you can take CCP courses were handpicked by educators here in Bristol on the basis that they are likely to be useful to students graduating from BEHS when they get to college. Most of them are common pre-requisites for a variety of majors offered at local colleges and universities. AP classes were not chosen specifically with students future needs in mind.

What is a CCP Pathway? A CCP Pathway is a collection of courses that you can take to earn college credit while you are at BEHS. Each grouping of courses forms one of the CCP Pathways offered.

What CCP Pathways are there? There are four CCP pathways at this time (and one more is proposed). They are the Accounting, Technological Studies, Early Childhood Education and Computer Information Systems (CIS) Pathways.

Can I take CCP Courses during the regular school day? Yes, CCP courses take place right here at Bristol Eastern High School and will fit into your regular course schedule. You do not have to leave the building for any part of the CCP Program.

How can I earn college credit through the CCP Pathway? Students must be “enrolled in a pathway” in order to be eligible for the college credits that accompanies the successful completion of CCP pathway courses. This means you have to enroll with your guidance counselor and commit to taking at least the "anchor" course of the pathway, and preferably the other courses in the pathway before you graduate from high school. To enroll you must complete a TXCC enrollment form, and make completing the CCP courses you choose to take a part of your plan for high school.

Do I have to take the CCP courses in any particular order? Yes and No. You can complete the course groups of a CCP Pathway in any order, however you will have to complete the prerequisite courses within a course group before taking the upper level course of that same course group. For example, you have to take Accounting-1 before you take Accounting-2, and Child Development-1 before you take Child Development-2. However there is no sequence for the "course groups" See the "CCP Pathway chart" on this web site for a clearer look at CCP courses and course groups. If you still have questions ask your guidance counselor or a CCP course teacher.

What other requirements should I be aware of?

1) You must earn at least a grade of 75 (C) in order to earn college credit in the CCP course. (However high school credit is still available based on passing the course by meeting the high school passing grade level)

2) As college courses, CCP courses are more challenging and are intended primarily for upperclassman. But freshmen and sophomores who can do the work may take CCP courses as well. However they will not be credited with completing the course (for CCP purposes) until they enter their junior year. Your application to enroll in a CCP Pathway (which is necessary to earn the college credit) will be held on file in guidance until your Junior year.

3) To earn the college credit in Algebra 2 or Chemistry students must demonstrate their knowledge with a separate assessment in addition to passing the course with a grade of 75 or better. At this time is only one option for Chemistry students (#1, below) but there are three options for Algebra 2 students, any one of which will satisfy the need to “demonstrate knowledge” beyond the course grade. The options are:

1. Pass the college final exam for the equivalent college course. This is the same exam that students take at Tunxis C.C. who are in the college course that the CCP high school course is equivalent to. (Both Chemistry and Algebra 2)

2. For Algebra 2 only - pass the math portion of the SAT with a score of 550 or higher.

3. For Algebra 2 only – achieve an acceptable score on the Acuplacer exam used by the community colleges to assess all incoming students.

For both Chemistry and Algebra 2 - you will still earn high school credit with a passing course grade regardless of the college final exam grade, or other assessment required to earn the college credit from TXCC.

There is no requirement for a separate assessment for any other CCP course. Only Algebra 2 and Chemistry have this requirement

Can I get help preparing for the college level final exam in Algebra 2 or Chemistry? Yes - a special tutoring session is planned for students taking Algebra 2 and/or Chemistry to help get them ready the college final exam required in those subject areas. Participation in after school tutoring is optional, but is highly recommended.

How do I sign up for the CCP Program? You must sign up for the CCP Program with your guidance counselor. Ask your guidance counselor about the CCP program, and how you can earn college credits here at BEHS before you graduate.

Where can I get more information about the CCP Program? Your guidance counselor can tell you about the CCP Program but you can also find out more by asking one of the CCP course teachers. They are also very knowledgeable and may be able to tell you more about what's involved in each CCP Pathway.

How many college credits can I get for CCP courses? You can earn 3 credits for each CCP course, except Chemistry which is a 4 credit lab course. You'll earn the same number of credits for a CCP course group as you would for taking the equivalent course in college.

Where can I use the college credits I earn in the CCP Program? Credits you earn are awarded by Tunxis Community College (TXCC), but they are automatically transferrable to any CT State University, including UCONN, CCSU, SCSU, ECSU and WCSU. And since most colleges are open to accepting transfer credits you may be able to use them at any other college or university, both private and out of state public.

Do I have to pay money to participate in the CCP Program? No, CCP courses are free for all BEHS students. However if you wait to take these courses at the college level you will have to pay for them. College level courses cost anywhere between $330 and $4,800 per course depending on what college you attend.

How did BEHS decide what CCP courses to offer? The courses chosen for the CCP Program are common prerequisites for a wide range of majors at the college level. In addition CCP courses may fulfill college distribution or general education (Gen Ed) requirements. Therefore you may have to take one or more of these courses (or similar courses for distribution) in college anyway. In this way CCP credits earned at BEHS are likely to be very useful for students as they move on to college after high school.